Home & Garden

With spring in full swing and summer ahead, we will be enjoying parties outdoors. Simplify the picnic setup by combining the silverware, napkin and placemat into one designer bundle. With five, six-inch straight stitches you can make these functional placemats. They are wonderful gifts for a new bride too! Materials needed: tea towel, 34-inch-long ribbon,…

God has signed His name on my dishes. Really. At first glance you will not be able to see it, but after I tell you my story, I believe you will agree with me that God’s signature is truly there. You see, God is interested in the details of the lives of His children…

Only a few friends see my house when it’s a mess. They’re the same ones that let me in their messy homes. Only a few friends hear when my life feels like a mess; they’re the same ones who’ve shared their messy lives with me. But I wonder how many times I don’t host an…

I love things that make housekeeping easier and prolong the life of my stuff. These are some my favorite household tips and tricks, gathered over the years from a variety of sources. Carpet Rake When my split shag carpet was installed I asked the installers how best care for it. I was advised to buy…

As you prepare to decorate for Fall, why not look around you for great Fall décor? As the leaves begin to change colors, clip a branch with vibrant colors. Shop at the farmers market for seasonal gourds, squash and pumpkins. With a lack of rain, there are many dried corn stalks ready to be used for…

In Romans 12, Paul outlines the behaviors a Christian should portray in verses 9-21. These verses are the essential characteristics of a Christian, but we sometimes overlook the smaller essentials. The first of these is love. Love “is the primary motivating factor in Christian living. Christlike behavior or character includes showing genuine love, without hypocrisy”…

No kid wants to stop their fun to clean up! So don’t let them stop. Make the clean up part of the fun! Here are some ideas. *Have them pick up all the red toys, then the green toys, then the square toys, then the round toys. Give a little treat after each assignment. *Don’t…

I do not consider myself a gardener, just a want-a-be. For years, I have killed more vegetables in container gardening attempts than my family has eaten. Last year I stepped outside my comfort zone and did the unthinkable…planted a real vegetable garden. A church in our community started a series of cement block gardens last…

When we were 23 and 24 years old we read a very influential book, “Open Heart, Open Home” by Karen Mains. It basically challenges the idea that your home is your fortress or your showplace. She wrote it after the kid next door from a dysfunctional home repeatedly tracked dirt on her nice carpets, etc….

Do-It-Yourself projects are not my thing. I like the idea of being crafty, but let’s face it, I don’t do crafty well. For me to attempt and complete a project it has to be super easy, just a few pieces involved, and cheap to make. Creating a cake stand from a plate and candlestick fits…